Whereas our communities have welcomed and embraced LGBT individuals and families, including rabbis and cantors and

Whereas in 77 countries around the world homosexuality is illegal and punishable by imprisonment and in some cases, by death and

Whereas in recent months Russia, India, Nigeria and Uganda have codified laws discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people that curbs the right to public assembly, free expression, access to critical health care services including HIV/AIDS treatment and

Whereas members of LGBT communities are disproportionately victims of violence and hate crimes, including rape and

Whereas the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations urges countries to “guarantee equal rights to all individuals…regardless of sexual orientation” and

Whereas Secretary of State John Kerry recently remarked that “advancing equality for LGBT persons isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s also fundamental to advancing democracy and human rights, which are at the foundation of American foreign policy.”

Therefore be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly and its members support and encourage the Administration's continuing efforts to be an example for the international community in expanding and ensuring LGBT legal equality domestically and urge the President to use all the powers of his office to publicly support LGBT human rights abroad and

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly and its members urge members of Congress to proactively support bills, resolutions, letters and statements that address the rights of LGBT people internationally and

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly and its members support all efforts to deepen and expand our federal strategy to protect human rights by integrating LGBT concerns in existing humanitarian programs; to ensure that funding and programming by the United States and other countries engage and reach out to LGBT communities; and to protect human rights defenders and organizations that may be at risk for persecution due to their legal or political support of LGBT human rights and

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly urges its members and partner organizations to strive to continue to include and welcome LGBT persons into our communities and to educate about and advocate on the issue of domestic and international human rights abuses against members of the LGBT community.